When writing technical documentation in English, it’s essential to consider the dialect that best suits your audience. Make sure the user understands what to do, as terminology might differ. Documentation can be created in various dialects or require switching from British to American English (or vice versa). Will this have any impact on the Polish translation?
Your first thought is probably that you will need to translate technical documentation again. You needed to change the dialect, so the translation will also change. I won’t keep you in suspense until the end of this article, and I can tell you that it can be unnecessary. However, you may need to review the whole translation in this situation. If you’re wondering why, read on.
British vs. American terminology difference
There are many differences between English dialects. One of them is related to spelling. For example:
- Colour (British English) vs. color (American English)
- Catalogue (British English) vs. catalog (American English)
- Analyse (British English) vs. analyze (American English)
- Manoeuvre (British English) vs. maneuver (American English)
Some of them are related to completely different terms. For example:
- Anticlockwise (British English) vs. counterclockwise (American English)
- Spanner (British English) vs. wrench (American English)
- Plough (British English) vs. plow (American English)
- Bonnet (British English) vs. hood (American English)
Impact on Polish translation
Generally, the Polish translation will not change. It’s because the Polish language has one official dialect, which is used in translation. However, the adjustments might be needed in the following ways:
- Contextual Flow: Even though the term can be translated the same, the context may need a small modification to ensure the text remains coherent and reads smoothly.
- Consistency: Ensuring that the entire document consistently uses the same terminology is crucial, which might require revising earlier or later sections of the document.
- Clarity: Occasionally, the choice of a particular term might influence the clarity or precision of the text, requiring minor tweaks in phrasing to maintain the intended meaning.
These examples illustrate how minor adjustments and careful review maintain the fluidity, accuracy, and professionalism of the translated documentation.
Do you need a technical translation or subtitling? Check the Offer tab or email me at anna@annagredecka.com. I will answer your questions.